Ever heard of this word?
Awfulizing.
But seriously, I'm confounded. Why have I never come across this word?! I could have been using it in so many totally appropriate situations!
So, what does it mean?
Well, according to http://psychologydictionary.org, awfulizing is a noun that refers to an irrational and dramatic thought pattern, characterised by the tendency to overestimate the potential seriousness or negative consequences of events, situations or perceived threats. A person who engages in awfulizing likely predicts the most catastrophic outcome in every circumstance.
Or, according to the Oxford Dictionary, it means to imagine a situation to be as bad as it can possibly be.
I came across it in this linkedIn article:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/live-presenttell-yourself-truth-roy-larson
Which, in summary, advises to live in the present and focus on our positive thoughts because unfortunately we are prone to fixate on the negative and awfulize them. It's a good one. Read it. And then, use the word awfulize because even though it has a negative connotation, it is a great opportunity to realise that it is the perfect word for that horrible thing that we all do.
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